Kia’s revolution continues with bold new Sportage

This is the new Kia Sportage, which replaces the second-gen model that has sold 860,000 units since 2004. The Geneva showstar looks nothing like that car though, dumping the stodgy image to join Kia’s Peter Schreyer led design revolution.

Immediately recognisable as the younger brother to the Sorento, this new Sportage is longer, wider and lower than the previous model (by 90 mm, 15 mm and 60 mm respectively). Its 2640 mm wheelbase is 20 mm longer than a Honda CR-V’s even though the Kia is shorter overall by 80 mm – minimal overhangs see to that. Despite the size increase, weight is down by 91 kg model for model.

Two engine variants are available now; a 2.0-litre CRDi diesel with VGT (134 bhp/304 Nm) and the Theta II 2.0 petrol with 161 bhp/194 Nm. In both camps, smaller engines with Start/Stop will join later this year – a 1.7-litre CRDi (113 bhp/255 Nm) and a 1.6-litre version of the Theta II with 138 bhp and 166 Nm. The 2.0 models can be had with on-demand AWD with lock function for 50:50 torque split. All variants but the 2.0 petrol manual have six forward ratios.

Euro-spec models come with lots of kit, including ESC with a new Rollover Sensor (that pre-deploys the side airbags, curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners), Hillstart Assist Control, Downhill Brake Control (to limit speed during a steep descent) and an optional rear-view camera with LCD display integrated into the rear-view mirror.

Sharing much of its underpinnings with the soon to be launched in Malaysia Hyundai Tucson (called ix35 in Europe), both cars will be built in Slovakia, besides Korea of course. We can look forward to Naza Kia bringing this car to our shores, although it won’t be before the Sorento, which should debut sometime this year.

More pictures after the jump.Kia Sportage live images from Geneva
[zenphotopress number=999 album=915]Kia Sportage official images
[zenphotopress number=999 album=916]

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

Too big. Kia shd keep the size of existing Sportage so that the buyers have a choice if we want a smaller SUV. If we want big, we can buy Sorento. I'm looking forward to test drive the 1.6 engine.. if it ever come here..

For the past decade, they (kia) was behind us(p1), in terms of build quality, design, spec list, safety and many more. But now look at them, hats off to KIA, and P1 still lost in transitions.Products like KIA is a result of exposure from multi level competition. The G should do the same, stop safeguarding P1&P2. Expose them to the challenges/competition from outside. In 3 years time well be in a level playing field.For sure.

Nice look, nice design and nice everything. Going by the price of Forte, I am quite sure it would be priced aroung 130K or less. Korean cars are fast catching up and if Proton still professes Dr. M's 'look east policy' why not "senget" a bit i.e. from Japan to Korea. Before Proton can do that, all its vendors and employees must undergo some mentality brain wash course.

I just spoke with the KIA salesman and said pricing will be circa 120k. That's impressive for nice design suv. Kia brand is improving a lot. The only dissapointment is their Service Centre. and note the short overhangs. I drive sorento and short overhangs contributed to the bouncy ride (and also ladder frame. Unless they pair it with good suspension system this should be fun to drive!

Here in Malaysia, we try to implement in our head that our people can design a beautiful & function car. THAT IS OUR MISTAKE.

What we need to do learn from japanese and now korean, they employ this white guy that have creativity as the head of their depart, of course they need to spend a lot of money to pay his salary but you get the best. Then the korean learn while working under him and after his finish his service, there will be a group of korean people that really know the trick & trade in that department.

With us everything is BOLEH without knowing to do it properly. It seem that it is not practical by sending the proton employee to work together with other manufacture. For sure they will not reveal all the secret who to built a better car.

What's wrong with Korean car now? korean brand is rising star now.. it's a fact, and its just nature of business. who play the better game who wins, if u got heart got right strategy, sure u gonna make progress, if no heart no strategy (eg.g Proton) sure stay there

.. one couldn't always win all the way rite? Seeing now Toyota is having big problems with theirs 8 millions car recall issue, due to over chasing on to be the title world's No.1

We could expect in very near future, many of our 90' or 00' born youngster first car could be the Korean brand, (not the usual Vios,City or Civic now) or second car perhaps (due the the govt policy, the cheapest still the local made, oh come on..not Myvi again….)

Beautiful car. Hands down the better designed car compared to the T&H offering.

business is business, no matter how said,

March 4, 2010 @ 10:47 pm

akupunya said,

March 4, 2010 @ 9:02 am

I agree with you. It will take a few more years, but if the Korean follow this trajectory, their perceived brand image will be on the same level as the japs. NAZA and Sime should really step up the plate and give customers better after sales service. You are in the car business for the long run, invest a little and build loyal following. Follow the UMWT formula.

Toyota and Honda took about 15 years to become a mainstream brand. Even in the early 80s Japanese products were looked down upon. Kia products have reached global levels of quality only around 2006/7 so give them a break. They are very fast paced that's for sure so it's only a matter of time before their SSI and CSI scores rise once they put their minds to it.

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